Decades for a Diagnosis, Part 2: Persistence
Editor’s note: Part 1 of this article can be found here. By now language around pain and medicine was changing …
Living
Are You On A Spondylitis Guilt Trip?
Guilt is a serious issue for spondylitis patients and just about anybody else living with a chronic illness or disability. …
Learning to Trust My Body Again
I was always someone who would tell my doctor “I don’t need a flu shot, I never get sick.” I …
Surviving Ankylosing Spondylitis: The Home
Home is where the heart is. It’s also where ankylosing spondylitis patients experience the most physical and mental stress. Home …
Why I Have A Wheelchair: The Game Of “What If’s”
I am a proud wheelchair owner. I am not, as of yet, a wheelchair user. Why is this? Well, I …
The Self-Esteem of a Chronically Ill Person
I’ve always dealt with self-esteem and confidence issues. The topic isn’t new to me, but ever since becoming chronically ill, …
Decades for a Diagnosis, Part 1: At a Loss
I’ve hurt for a long time. My main symptoms have always been debilitating, grinding back pain; achy joints made worse …
Seven Ways To Stay Safer With Spondylitis
Sometimes living with spondylitis feels like I’m on a bizarre game show. Where I’m the host and the medical community …
Brain Fog: More Than Forgetfulness
Do you know what it’s like when your brain is exhausted? We all have been there. You stay up late …
Planning For Self-Care Success: Time Management
I live in the same house my mother was raised in. It’s had a few minor modifications, but we still …
Traveling With AS
Traveling. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? For those of us with chronic pain, I’d say it’s more stressful than fun. …
Ask the Advocates: Receiving a Diagnosis
When were you diagnosed with AS and how did it initially present itself? Steff I was diagnosed with AS in …
War On Pain
In October 2017, the President declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. Although there is a growing number of …
More Than One Autoimmune Condition
How many autoimmune diseases do you have? In my case, it is three. Since I have Type 1 diabetes (T1D), …
When is Rest Best?
People with ankylosing spondylitis commonly experience pain, stiffness, and tenderness in their back and hip joints. These symptoms, along with …
I Am An Addict
A look into the addictive mind of a chronic pain patient… If you listen to the news, chronic pain patients …
Party Like You’ve Got Spondylitis!
Please do! Do enter celebrations mindful of your own need for self-care. This means planning to rest, emphasizing your own …
Why I Feel Guilty for Being Sick
For many reasons, and I’m sure a lot of you relate, I feel quite a bit of guilt for being …
How to Take NSAIDs Safely
NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs generally work well to treat mild to moderate pain and swelling. This makes …
Tips for Painsomnia
Painsomnia has been an issue for me since the onset of AS in 2001. Painsomnia can manifest at any stage …